Schools on Safari Field Trip Packages

Information about 2017 Schools on Safari Field Trip packages will be available soon. Registration will begin in January 2017. Check back for details!

Thanks for a great 2016 Schools on Safari season!

We still have limited availability for fall outreach programs. If you are interested in an in-house field trip at your school, please contact the Zoo Education Department at (765) 807-1540 for more information and availability.

Take your class on a field trip they are sure to love! Schools on Safari field trip packages are available late April through the month of May.

Your Schools on Safari package includes:

• A 30-minute live animal presentation on your choice of standards-based themes
• Self-guided, self-paced tour of the Zoo’s educational exhibits, including the Wallaby Walkabout and Otter Creek
• Specially designed resource materials to turn your field trip into an educational experience like none other
• An optional ride on the historic Columbian Park train is available exclusively to Schools on Safari participants at a discounted rate
• Admission to the Zoo for all students, teachers and chaperones is free

Other Details:

Duration: 30-minute presentation + as much time as you need for your self-guided tourMax Participation: 30 students per presentation groupAvailable: April 26 - May 27, 20162016 Program Fee: $50 per group, up to 30 students per group. Add a train ride for $10

Your live animal presentation will feature up to 3 of the Zoo’s amazing Animal Ambassadors. Participants are encouraged, but never required, to touch the animals whenever it is safe and appropriate. Due to the volume of presentations that take place during this busy season, special requests for animal appearances are not permitted. Each presentation group may see a different set of animals.

Registration begins in January 20, 2016 at 8am. For more information contact the Zoo Education Department at (765) 807-1546.

Registration for 2016 Field Trips begins:

January 20, 2016
8:00am

First-come, first-serve for choice of dates. For fairness, no reservations will be taken prior to this date.

Students will meet a variety of live animals, exploring their special qualities, such as size, shape, color, body covering, and movement style. The focus is on the emerging science skills of making observations, comparing/contrasting, and asking questions. (Sci K.3.2)

Animal Wrappers - Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Students will meet animals with different body coverings and structures, discussing how these features are advantageous in many ways, such as temperature regulation, camouflage, defense and display.(Sci K.3.2) (Sci 1.3.1)

A Habitat is Where It's At! - 1st grade

This program focuses on the concept of habitats and how animals' basic needs for food, water, shelter, and space are met within their natural environment. (Sci 1.3.3, 1.3.4)

Growing Up Wild - 2nd and 3rd grade

This survey of life cycles in the animal and plant kingdoms features live animals and plant artifacts to explore topics such as animal and plant "babies", metamorphosis, juvenile adaptations, and parental care. (Sci 2.3.2) (Sci 3.3.1)

Survive and Thrive - 4th grade

This program focuses on animal adaptations as they relate to their natural environment. By comparing closely-related species from very different habitats, we'll explore how variation in traits can allow an animal to thrive under specific environmental conditions, and how changes to the environment can affect animal survival. Concepts such as sustainable use of resources and human impact on wildlife are also incorporated.(Sci 4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.3.2, 4.3.4)

Web of Life - 5th grade

Students will explore the relationship between living things in an ecosystem, with a focus on energy transfer from producers to consumers and finally decomposers. This program includes at least one Indiana native species. (Sci 5.3.1, 5.3.2)